Background:
This product was brought to my attention. It’s a variation on the intake scoop that I’ve conducted several tests with.
The Velossa Tech intake snorkel is advertised as an upgrade that provides both aesthetic and performance benefits for a Mk7 GTI.
The intake snorkel is advertised to capitalize on the higher air pressure in front of the vehicle’s bumper, supplying higher-pressure air to the vehicle’s existing intake.
The business makes the following performance claims:
- Upgrade your 2012-2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI (MK7/MK7.5) with the Velossa Tech BIG MOUTH, designed for bold style, easy installation, and real performance gains.
- … our snorkels are rigorously tested for perfect fit and maximum airflow.
- needs no tuning or permanent mods (though tuning enhances performance)
- Test Results: Performance logs (please see picture gallery) on a 2015 Volkswagen GTI prove measurable gains under consistent conditions.
- Maximum performance ram air design for optimized airflow
- OEM fitment with a smooth finish for maximum efficiency
- The BIG MOUTH is strategically designed and positioned for maximum air pressure recovery. Basically, it feeds your current intake with higher pressure air.
Key Concerns:
- No detailed information is provided about how the measurements were obtained. This is especially concerning regarding the charts displaying the Air Mass and Charge Air Temperature because the Mk7 GTI does not have built-in sensors to measure these attributes.
- The Air Mass chart indicates that at the end of the time, where presumably the maximum speed is reached, the difference in Mass Airflow becomes negligible. Since air pressure at the front of the vehicle is increasing as the vehicle speed increases, if the product performs as claimed, the difference should grow larger over time, not smaller.
- The difference in Intake Air Temperature (IAT) is approximately 3°F across the recorded time. This is a slight difference that could be attributed to other factors that affect the Intake Air Temperature, such as the temperature of the intake parts, the temperature of the turbocharger compressor housing, the temperature of the intercooler, and the temperature of the intake manifold where the IAT sensor is located.
- The IAT reading consistently exceeds 130 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the time. This is a high intake air temperature, and the engine computer may have reduced ignition timing, which could affect the vehicle acceleration data recorded with the Dragy device.
- The manufacturer makes no mention that the Air Temperature, neither the Intake Air nor the Compressor Outlet, is reduced by using this part, yet they present charts comparing these properties.
- The Dragy acceleration curves, which range from 60 mph to 130 mph, show a momentary leveling off of the vehicle speed that corresponds with a momentary drop in the acceleration rate. Presumably, this is indicative of a gear shift. This gear shift does not occur at the same speed, 91 mph (before) and 105 mph (after). The difference in vehicle and presumably engine speeds when the shift occurs, along with a difference in the time of the gear shift, since this appears to be a manual transmission vehicle, may be factors affecting the acceleration time.
Conclusions:
Despite advertising that the intake snorkel has been “rigorously tested” the evidence provided by the manufacturer does not support this claim.
On the contrary, the evidence shown regarding performance gains relies on values that are most likely predictions, and a temperature measurement that is loosely associated with the air properties at the location where this part can affect them. It is unclear if vehicle performance is affected by the control variable (snorkel) or other factors.
Each comparative measure consists of a single data point. This increases the likelihood that an outlier or random factor is skewing the result.
The operating range at which the product was tested, 60-130 mph, may not be representative of the typical owner’s usage of their vehicle. Therefore, if the benefits of the product are speed-dependent, then these would be diminished at lower operating speeds.
Recommendation: For these reasons, there is a high risk that the product will not provide the advertised performance benefits.